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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just want a JOB! I can't understand why I can't get one!

54 replies

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 05:16

I've been freelancing as a copywriter and social media manager since my oldest DD was born 12 years ago and now both DC are older, I want a job...I've had enough of finding work chasing money and working on my own at home.

It was good for a while...fitted in with having small children etc but now I want to be out in the world again!

I've applied for everything from shelf stacker to social media manager and not had ONE INTERVIEW! Not ONE!

My CV is good! I've worked for huge organisations...world renowned ones! I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but my little business garnered commissions from really well-known companies and now I can't even get a job at a fucking supermarket OR a small events company OR a large museum!

What do I do? I've actually got two CVs...one with my writing and social media stuff and one with the more mundane stuff I did before I had children.

I've just had it! Today (I'm in Oz) I've had two knockbacks from local cafes (I promise I look nice and presentable) and have had to start looking into my freelance stuff again. I'd stopped doing it in the mistaken belief that I could easily find a job but now DH is naturally worried and so I'm having to scrabble about for freelance work again.

:( I just want to get out of the house!

OP posts:
PoppyPopcorn · 09/10/2017 07:31

OP I'm in exactly the same boat as you. I've been freelancing since my middle child was 1 - she's 12 now. I understand completely your need to do other things which brings you into contact with people as working on your home all day can be isolating.

However, I'm not prepared to give up the flexibility of self-employment just yet! I started about 2 years ago volunteering 2 mornings a week at my local charity shop (assuming they have those in Aus) and it's been great. No stress. No hassle. Nice people, one of whom brings in homemade cake each Monday. OK, i don't get paid, but it recharges my batteries so I can come home and crack on with the freelance work.

Leilaniii · 09/10/2017 07:41

FreakEmOut, what kind of job do you do? Sorry, I am being nosy...

Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 07:42

Kid I never said my CV was 10 to 15 pages long. Confused Both are 2 pages.

Slim I just want a stress-free, sociable job though...a cafe or shop job. I enjoy that kind of work.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 07:44

Poppy thank you. I have applied to do some volunteering with the Red Cross. It's visiting the elderly...just popping in for a chat. I think I'll like that and it's something I don't need to travel far to do either.

Margery thank you for the positivity!

OP posts:
FreakEmOut · 09/10/2017 07:44

Leilaniii Corporate comms, in-house. Smile

Appuskidu · 09/10/2017 07:49

I suppose if I was hiring for a cafe or shop role, I would want someone that had experience in either. Or if not, someone who could be trained up and I thought they would stay.

Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 08:00

Appuskidu yes...and I have. As I mentioned.

OP posts:
guilty100 · 09/10/2017 08:14

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's very hurtful. I think some of the replies on this thread are not really very empathetic about the damage this sort of thing can do to your sense of self worth.

I do agree with PPs that you sound over-qualified for these jobs, and they may be worried that you will be bored or leave quickly after you find something else. I think your job is maybe to convince them otherwise. I would be editing my CV downwards if I were in your shoes - emphasizing retail/cafe experience and perhaps losing some of the more ambitious sounding jobs you've done. Don't underestimate how insecure things like qualifications can make some people feel!

It's important to tailor your CV and letter to every job, emphasizing slightly different aspects of yourself as you think will suit the organisation - showing that you've done some research/put in some effort matters in terms of sending the message that you really want THIS job. Even with lower paid work, this is the case.

Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 08:16

Guilty thank you for your response...but I do keep telling people on this thread that I have two cvs. One of them is full of bar work, shop work and cafe work....I promise I'm not waltzing into bakeries and waving my writing experience at them. Smile

OP posts:
5rivers7hills · 09/10/2017 08:40

Both are 2 pages

They are both one page too long. Modern CVs are one page as standard.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 09/10/2017 08:47

OP, I was in exactly your situation — loads of writing/media work (freelance) but wanted a local p/t job with no strsss to meet people.

I found a little job in a local art gallery. And the money was RIDICULOUSLY LOW. I stayed for 2 years because it was a good laugh but I’ve quit now because it was taking up loads of time for little rewards.

I think any job where you have to dumb-down your CV is not the right job.

Why not apply to be the social media manager to local companies? Freelance but in a contract?

guilty100 · 09/10/2017 08:48

Apologies for ignoring that mrs? Have you asked the employers in question why you didn't get the job? It can be constructive to have a positive conversation about this with a view to changing your strategy for the future.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 09/10/2017 09:18

And your comment So you don't "just want a job" then, because if you did, you could get one. just sounds ridiculous when compared with the efforts I've made to get a job.

You have a really bad attitude, OP. I think that's your problem.

There's no need to be snippy or look down on fast food restaurants; it's a perfectly valid job and career if you wish it to be.

And if you think retail and care jobs are low stress, you're a fool.

NooNooHead · 09/10/2017 09:21

OP - I have been a freelance copywriter for the past three years and am now looking for work. Before that, I was a magazine editor for 8 years. I am struggling to get any job interviews or feedback from anyone, relevant job industry or others, and I have past retail experience and two different CVs for my publishing / admin roles I apply for, yet I have had nothing for the past couple of months too.

What are we doing wrong?! I wish I knew.,.

NooNooHead · 09/10/2017 09:23

I would quite happily work in a shop or McD’s but I see others who are younger with more retail / food experience always seem to get a look in first... i’m not sure whether this really makes a difference, but I’ve had no luck with these interviews either...

Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 09:36

NooNoo it's interesting isn't it!? I do wonder if it's just my age...I'm 45 now and people might think that I'm not as fit as a younger person...though I am very fit!

OP posts:
FauxFox · 09/10/2017 09:36

You are me career wise. I want to get back to 'employed' work but Marketing Agency jobs are hard to get when you've freelanced for 12 years and for a few reasons my heart is not in it any more. I want to change career but without having to retrain for years etc. I picked Estate Agency and have just got offered a Saturday job - i'm so excited! It's a foot in the door and I can carry on freelancing until I progress to a point where my new role pays well enough for me to switch completely.

A big part of the reason I want to get back to work is the social aspect but I think you need to have a general plan/show commitment to the new job somehow... if they feel you are just wanting to do it 'for fun' the employer will assume that soon you won't find it fun and will leave so they will have to recruit all over again. I know how you feel when you say this isn't the case - I loved waitressing/shop work too, but most people don't. It's hard work, often low pay and long/anti-social hours. Most people would not choose those jobs as a 'hobby' which seems to be your approach... sorry if i've got it wrong, just trying to think what the potential problem could be.

Good luck with finding something soon!

GabriellaMontez · 09/10/2017 09:45

Have you asked any of them why you were declined? Sometimes they'll give you good feedback.

I'd be tailoring my CV for every job I applied for not just using 2.

You'll get something!! It could just take hundreds of CV's.

Original poster
MrsOverTheRoad · 09/10/2017 10:05

Faux well done! Funnily enough, working in property has also appealed to me. I'd love it I think!

Gabriella thanks. I do tailor my CVs...sometimes I haven't heard a thing back and I can't very well hassle for feedback in those cases.

Other times, if it's a shop or cafe, I don't want to seem pushy as they're very local. I expect it's as someone else said, people tend to offer jobs to their friends and relations rather than a stranger.

OP posts:
LannieDuck · 09/10/2017 12:14

I agree with a PP who suggested going back to the companies that employed you as a freelancer. Do they have any positions available? Could you have an informal discussion with some of the managers you used to work for and ask if they have anything in-house coming up?

How did you used to find the work for your freelancing? That sort of network would probably be a good place to start (although I imagine you've already tried all this...).

jay55 · 09/10/2017 13:17

Are there any agencies that do catering for events near you?
Could be a way to get your waitressing or bar work up to date.

SusanTheGentle · 09/10/2017 13:29

Echoing PPs - tailor to every single job - you could probably do this broadly with the 'types' of jobs for e.g. retail clothes, retail knickknacks, retail food, cafe, restaurant, but you'd still want to be really sharply focusing on your work in that industry, in that particular type of business.

For the roles that are more like your freelancing, are you sending cover letters too? That allows you to target even more specifically to your local area.

The other thing - you've probably already done it but it bears repeating - is to analyse exactly what makes you good at your career and then look for other jobs that might be in more boom times to match your skills to.

Applying for everything sounds like a good plan but you're probably better off spending more time on the applications/CV tailoring for more specific jobs, rather than firing off one CV to hundreds of places.

Good luck, it's really hard work.

existentialmoment · 09/10/2017 13:34

Suggesting Burger King etc, in Australia? hmm Shows you don't know much of the local market

It just has a different name, but Hungry Jacks is Burger King so you can keep your Hmm face.

Hmm
RunRabbitRunRabbit · 09/10/2017 13:45

Do you network? You say it's a small town. Building your network is likely your best option to getting an offer of work, even without it being advertised.

You've got an interesting combination of skills and experience. Someone might make a role for you or combine roles. That won't come from standard applications but from a network of people knowing you and what you can do.

eeyoredebbie · 09/10/2017 13:55

Not read whole thread could you ask an associate a friend to look at your CV ? Here in the UK there is a few websites you can send your CV for an intitial look and then pay for more in-depth review

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